Tag Archives: Teaching children

Thunderstorms, Courage, and So Much More

Two days of mid 90-degree heat is rare in May up here in New England.  I knew a thunderstorm would soon roll in.  I sat on my porch, watching the sky, and was drawn to memories of thunderstorms and how … Continue reading

Posted in Expressing words and feelings, Inspiration, Learning About the World, Mother Nature, Nature, Teaching young children | Tagged , , , , | 88 Comments

The Start of a New Year at School – Part 2

In Part 1, I talked about welcoming children to a new year at school. Part 2 This is the really important piece – The Teacher.  What a teacher brings to children and the classroom makes all the difference in the world.  … Continue reading

Posted in Early Education, Expressing words and feelings, Imagination, Inspiration, joy, School, teaching, Teaching young children | Tagged , , , , , | 85 Comments

Milly – Part 3

In Part 2, Milly came onto the scene, meeting the children and Gloria.  She accepted the “challenge” – as she called it – of quilting a mural which would become a Peace Quilt.  Gloria started the ball rolling with her own … Continue reading

Posted in art, Diversity, Early Education, Expressing words and feelings, Gloria, Imagination, Inspiration, Peace, quilting, Teaching young children, The Arts | Tagged , , , , , , | 47 Comments

Reading Aloud & Reading – There’s a Big Difference.

My greatest passion is reading aloud to children.  I thought it was time to talk about the difference between reading and reading aloud, as I often post about good children’s books.  While reading is the goal, the dream- reading aloud … Continue reading

Posted in books, Early Education, Inspiration, Jim Trelease, reading, reading aloud, reading aloud, School, Teaching young children | Tagged , , , , , , , , | 99 Comments

A Teacher’s Story – #1

When I was a new teacher I stumbled across this wonderful story.  I still have my well-worn hard copy, which I read from time to time.  It never gets old, it fills me up. I’ve read that it may not … Continue reading

Posted in behavior, Death and dying, Early Education, Expressing words and feelings, Giving thanks, Inspiration, joy, Kindness, Love, self esteem, teaching | Tagged , , , , , | 78 Comments

Humor in Teaching

“A day without laughter is a day wasted.”  -Charlie Chaplin- Jennie

Posted in behavior, Early Education, Expressing words and feelings, Inspiration, preschool, Quotes, Teaching young children | Tagged , , , , | 55 Comments

The Hundred Little Things

I have a handwritten list of posts I want to write, things that are important.  There is one that has been screaming at me for a long time, with yellow highlighter and a post-it note: “The Hundred Little Things.”  It … Continue reading

Posted in Early Education, Expressing words and feelings, Inspiration, preschool, reading aloud, Student alumni, Teaching young children | Tagged , , , , , , , | 109 Comments

Rainbows and Thunder

On the second day of school Thunder rumbled at the end of the day.  Little Emmett and I were the last ones at school. What’s that? Thunder I don’t like thunder Thunder is only a noise.  It can’t hurt you. … Continue reading

Posted in Early Education, Expressing words and feelings, Mother Nature, Nature, preschool, Teaching young children, wonder | Tagged , , , | 73 Comments

When Teachers Tell Their Stories – Part 3

In Part 2, I talked about language and words, and how the more words a child hears, the better s/he will do in school – in all subject areas.  I told my first-ever story, “The Peanut Man Story”, and how … Continue reading

Posted in Early Education, Expressing words and feelings, Imagination, Inspiration, Nature, storytelling, Teaching young children, wonder | Tagged , , , , , , | 53 Comments

Mason and the Rainbow Song

Yesterday I filled-in at my school’s summer camp.  When I arrived at noon, children were at lunch.  After all the hugs and hollers, they begged for a ‘Jennie Story’, especially Mason. Interestingly, Mason has never been in my class. He … Continue reading

Posted in Early Education, Expressing words and feelings, Inspiration, joy, self esteem, Singing, summer camp, Teaching young children, wonder | Tagged , , , , , , | 69 Comments